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Steelers Re-Sign Critical Special Teamer
The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-signed cornerback James Pierre to a one-year contract, the team announced on Thursday.
Pierre cemented himself as a key special teams presence in 2024, when he filled in as an early-season replacement and then remained in action for the rest of the year.
Pierre, 28, spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Steelers after first joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of FAU in 2020.
Last year, Pierre signed with the Washington Commanders as a free agent on March 21 and was released on Aug. 27. He re-joined the Steelers on Sept. 17, first to the practice squad, and then was promoted to the active roster.
Pierre played in the last 15 games of the season, and even made two starts while Donte Jackson and Cory Trice were dealing with injury issues.
On the season, he recorded 23 tackles, forced two fumbles, defended three passes and made one interception, against the Cleveland Browns.
But Pierre’s primary role for the Steelers has been on special teams, where he played 272 snaps in 2024, working in five different phases. He was especially critical as a punt gunner, as the team cycled through a number of options early in the season, without finding much success until they brought Pierre back.
A 6-foot-2, 185-pound native of Deerfield Beach, Florida, Pierre has now played in 81 games for the Steelers at cornerback since joining the team as an undrafted free agent. Pierre had his best season in 2021, when he recorded 47 tackles, forced three fumbles and had four passes defended and one interception.